The Netherlands: “Lion daalder” reborn in new gold and silver bullion coins

The Royal Dutch Mint have unveiled their newest silver and gold 1-ounce coins, which are based on one of the world’s most well-known and trusted trade coins of the late 16th century. The famed lion daalder (or leeuwendaalder) was first minted by the Province of Holland in 1575 as a means of increasing trade between their many trading ports and outposts from Asia to the Americas, from Africa to Australia, and everywhere in between. However, these very coins were themselves based on an even more popular and well-known coin: the Joachimsthaler of Bohemia, minted from 1519. It was important for the new Dutch provincial coin (whose very name, daalder, was a derivative of the word “thaler”) to resemble closely these well-known coins so Dutch traders could benefit from the popularity and trust enjoyed by Joachimsthalers, both locally and internationally. Early daalders were cut out of silver planchets that were not perfectly round and were relatively thin, so their strike was not very detailed and the image on both sides was less visible than hoped for. In time the coins improved in quality as well as in reputation.

With a weight of 26.79 grams of .750 fine silver, the lion daalder was also popular in the Dutch East Indies as well as in the Dutch New Netherlands Colony (present-day New York). After the British became the dominant power in the New World, the lion daalder remained in circulation with a recognised value of 4 shillings and 6 pence. Besides the popularity of the Spanish “piece of eight” (or 8-reales silver coin), which also widely circulated in the United States from the late 1700’s, it is unmistakable that the lion daalder greatly influenced the American silver coinage—especially the name of the new country’s currency, the dollar, which was first minted in 1794.

During the mid-17th century, the leeuwendaalder became so widely used and recognised worldwide, it pushed many local coins out of their own markets. Aside from the Balkan countries, the lion daalder was the standard form of commerce in regions and states such as Anatolia, Syria, Egypt, and Northwest Africa for over a century. It was not until 1713, when the leeuwendaalder was no longer minted, that it was finally surpassed by the Maria Theresa thaler from 1751 onwards. Despite their lack of production, the leeuwendaalder remained legal tender for some time in the Levant.

The Royal Dutch Mint’s first modern lion daalder restrikes are based on the design originally issued in Utrecht in 1617, and mark the 400th anniversary of this particular provincial issue. Included on the obverse is a standing knight. In front of his legs rests a shield bearing a lion in what is known as the rampant position. (This lion is found on both the Dutch and Belgian coats of arms.) Within two circles of beadwork around the rim is the legend MO. ARG. PRO. CONFOE. BELG.—short for MONETA ARGENTEA PROVINCIARUM CONFOEDERATUM BELGICARUM, or “silver money of the Province of the Netherlands”—followed by the letters TRA (representing Utrecht).

The reverse displays the same heraldic lion in a larger size, and as with the obverse design it has two circles of beadwork around the rim enclosing a legend—in this case, the date of issue, 2017, and the motto of the United Provinces, CONFIDENS. DNO. NON. MOVETVR, or “Who trusts in the Lord is not moved” (“DNO” is an abbreviation of “Domino,” or “Lord”).

The following informative video, narrated by Rene van Dijk (commercial director of the Royal Dutch Mint) and describing the coins’ production, can also be viewed on YouTube:

Denom.

Metal

Weight

Diameter

Quality

Mintage Limit

Daalder

.999 silver

31.1 g

38.7 mm

Proof

5,000

Daalder

.999 silver

62.2 g

38.7 mm

Proof

200

Daalder

.999 gold

31.1 g

38.7 mm

Proof

100

Daalder

.999 gold

62.2 g

38.7 mm

Proof

10

The gold pieces and silver piedfort versions are minted in very low quantities. The Royal Dutch Mint will announce at a later date whether the new lion daalder is the beginning of a new series of coins.

Coin Update is not a retail website. If you wish to buy a coin or banknote, you should contact a reputable dealer. One of our sponsors (see ads at right and top of page) may also have what you’re looking for, so be sure to check out their websites.

Per policy, we do not advise on the value, authenticity, or rarity of readers’ coins and banknotes. For this kind of assistance, you should contact a reputable dealer, preferably one who’s certified by the American Numismatic Association and/or the Professional Numismatists Guild.

Vulgar and/or abusive comments will not be tolerated. Nor will trolls.

Allegations of fraudulent or criminal activity against a named party, when said activity has not been proven in a court of law, will be removed.

I think may well end up becoming their bullion version, if the Royal Mint can determine if the sales of this coin or its popularity is something which they can develop as a bullion series, then It’s most likely to be this coin – watch this space 🙂

Categories

More Recent Articles

The Royal Canadian Mint has launched new collector coins which are in tribute to the comic industry’s most known and loved storylines, the Justice League. Those who make up the super crime-fighting group include: Superman, Batman, Aquaman, Wonder Woman, the Green Lantern, the Flash, and more. The League is portrayed in the same way many fans remember them — […]

(Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) August 8, 2018 — It will be a Philadelphia “homecoming” at the ANA 2018 World’s Fair of Money for one of the finest known surviving examples of a 1794 Flowing Hair silver dollar. It’s also the homecoming for the person exhibiting that historic coin, Silvano DiGenova, President of Tangible Investments, Inc. in Laguna […]

The following Q&A is excerpted from Clifford Mishler’s Coins: Questions & Answers: Q: What is the real story behind “The King of American Coins,” the silver dollars of 1804? A: Proclaimed the “King of American Coins,” the prestigious dollar of 1804 is an impostor. It is known to exist in 15 examples, not a one of […]

The Royal Canadian Mint has launched a new series of coins which cleverly recreate some of the country’s most memorable stamps of the early 20th century relating to national anniversaries or services. The new rectangular-shaped coins, which include a total of three designs, distinctly recreate the look of real postage stamps. Each reverse design is […]

WASHINGTON — The United States Mint will begin accepting orders for the George Washington Presidential Silver Medal (product code S801) and the John Adams Presidential Silver Medal (product code S802) on August 16 at noon Eastern Time (ET). Both medals are priced at $39.95 each. The obverse (heads) of the George Washington Presidential Silver Medal features his portrait as […]

In this second preview article for the various auctions held during the World’s Fair of Money in Philadelphia, PA, this month, we will take a look at some of the highlights of U.S. coinage offered by Stack’s Bowers. Spread out over various sessions, we have decided to limit our preview to the coins offered in […]

The Royal Canadian Mint has released the second design which is part of the mega-coin series entitled “Keepers of the Parliament,” and focuses on the exquisite and impressive sculptures that stand at the main entrance to Canada’s stately Peace Tower building. From atop the Centre Block’s arched entryway, Castor canadensis (the North American beaver) extends a uniquely […]

Display will include previously unknown piece Washington — The United States Mint announced today that it will display three of the nation’s 1933 double eagle gold coins in booth 218 at the American Numismatic Association’s World’s Fair of Money in Philadelphia from August 14 to August 18. The display will feature two of the 10 […]

The World’s Fair of Money, held this year in Philadelphia, PA, is considered the major numismatic event in the United States. This week-long happening attracts collectors and dealers from around the world, and with it come a number of auctions held by various auction companies offering thousands of different numismatic items. In this first preview […]

Santa Ana, CA. — Stack’s Bowers Galleries is pleased to announce that Bruce Smith, a 20-year veteran in numismatics, has joined the company and will be operating out of the firm’s Southern California headquarters. Throughout his career, Mr. Smith has focused on developing portfolios of noteworthy rare coin properties and precious metals for his clients. […]